I-25 Gibson Interchange Reconstruction Project - Aesthetic Treatment

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is seeking an artist or artist team to advise and provide specific recommendations to the design team on the aesthetic treatment of the I-25 Gibson Interchange Reconstruction project in Albuquerque, NM. The project includes a new I-25 bridge over Gibson Boulevard with a new interchange design, minor enhancements to Gibson Boulevard between Edith Boulevard and University Boulevard, additional lanes and frontage road improvements along I-25 between Sunport Boulevard and Avenida Cesar Chavez, and improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The improvements will enhance safety and efficiency for all modes of transportation while providing an aesthetic experience for the estimated 102,000 daily trips through the area.

Surfaces to be addressed may include bridge parapets, abutments, railings, project retaining walls, and pedestrian fencing. Treatments may be expressed through color, texture, and unique repeating concrete form liners for vertical surfaces and metallic shapes for fencing. Treatments will address the cultural and natural resource qualities of this part of Albuquerque and comprise a holistic aesthetic 'look' for the interchange without providing a distraction to the traveling public. Applicants must demonstrate aesthetic ability, ability to work as part of a team, and ability to work within time and monetary budgets.

The Local Selection Committee will select five semi-finalists and conduct interviews before selecting a finalist. An honorarium of $750 will be paid to each participating semi-finalist who must appear in person to interview. The selected artist will be compensated $10,000 for draft alternatives for presentation to the public and $12,000 for the final design. The selected artist will work with the consulting engineer to develop an aesthetic package for the Design-Build contract and assist in the development of minimum aesthetics guidelines. Submissions must include a written letter of interest addressing the project needs and the artist's professional qualifications, a current resume demonstrating relevant work experience particularly in public art or privately funded commission projects, and an annotated image list with images of work containing title, media, dimensions, year of completion, project description, budget, and commissioning agency. Artists living in New Mexico are eligible to apply, with artists living in Albuquerque highly encouraged to apply.